The Southern Poverty Law Center, along with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana’s Justice Lab, the Social Justice Legal Foundation (SJLF) and the law firm of Hueston Hennigan LLP, provided legal representation to Nia Mills, a Black woman subjected to prolonged detention, extensive property searches and ongoing emotional harm when West Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputies detained her after a 2021 traffic stop.
On March 26, 2021, Deputy William Allen Connelly stopped Nia Mills and her partner for a minor traffic violation. When Mills’ partner fled in fear, Connelly detained Mills roadside while deputies searched her purse and vehicle. Officers later transported her to the sheriff’s narcotics office, where they conducted additional searches, which included her electronics. Several hours later, deputies allowed Mills to leave but seized all her bank cards and rental car and had arrested her partner.
Mills filed suit in the Middle District of Louisiana, alleging mistreatment by the officers. In November 2024, the district court denied the officers’ qualified immunity defense at summary judgment, permitting most of her claims to proceed to trial.
A settlement in the case was filed on Feb. 10, 2026.
